Yemen's airport reopens a day after rebel attack
Source: Agencies |
April 9, 2012, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
YEMEN'S main airport reopened yesterday, a day after gunmen loyal to the nation's former president seized it in the capital Sanaa, officials said.
Supporters of former Yemeni leader Ali Abdullah Saleh attacked the airport on Saturday, with tanks and armored vehicles occupying the tarmac. Their action followed a military shake-up in which key commanders loyal to Saleh were fired.
Saturday's assault on the airport involved armed tribesmen along with troops in uniform. Driving pickup trucks mounted with anti-aircraft guns, they blasted buildings of Sanaa International Airport and opened fire on one of the airport surveillance towers before surrounding the entire complex, blocking roads and turning away passenger vehicles.
The officials said the attackers withdrew from the airport yesterday but that ex-president Saleh's half brother, air force commander Mohammed Saleh al-Ahmar, refused to leave his office at the military wing of the airport despite being fired by new President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi.
The air force commander was replaced by former commander Rashid al-Hanad, but aides have said he would not give up his post until Hadi also fired some of the ex-president's opponents.
Saturday's attack highlighted the challenges facing Hadi, who must balance a promise to purge ex-regime elements from the army with the ability of his predecessor's loyalists to cause massive disruption.
At stake is the stability of the Arab world's poorest country, where al-Qaida is poised to fill the vacuum.
The restructuring of the military announced by Hadi didn't touch Saleh's son Ahmed, who kept command of the Republican Guard.
Supporters of former Yemeni leader Ali Abdullah Saleh attacked the airport on Saturday, with tanks and armored vehicles occupying the tarmac. Their action followed a military shake-up in which key commanders loyal to Saleh were fired.
Saturday's assault on the airport involved armed tribesmen along with troops in uniform. Driving pickup trucks mounted with anti-aircraft guns, they blasted buildings of Sanaa International Airport and opened fire on one of the airport surveillance towers before surrounding the entire complex, blocking roads and turning away passenger vehicles.
The officials said the attackers withdrew from the airport yesterday but that ex-president Saleh's half brother, air force commander Mohammed Saleh al-Ahmar, refused to leave his office at the military wing of the airport despite being fired by new President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi.
The air force commander was replaced by former commander Rashid al-Hanad, but aides have said he would not give up his post until Hadi also fired some of the ex-president's opponents.
Saturday's attack highlighted the challenges facing Hadi, who must balance a promise to purge ex-regime elements from the army with the ability of his predecessor's loyalists to cause massive disruption.
At stake is the stability of the Arab world's poorest country, where al-Qaida is poised to fill the vacuum.
The restructuring of the military announced by Hadi didn't touch Saleh's son Ahmed, who kept command of the Republican Guard.
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